For Shaquille O'Neal, the Los Angeles Lakers must keep LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the offseason and make moves for everybody else in order to compete again in 2022-23.

While things are not yet over for the Purple and Gold and they still have a chance to make the play-in, their odds of actually winning the championship are really small. Their latest loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday also doesn't help their case on even reaching the postseason.

With that said, it has become quite clear that the Lakers, as they are currently built, are not capable of competing. However, even though the general belief is that LeBron and Davis are part of the problem, Shaq understands that they themselves are the solutions as well.

“You gotta get rid of expiring contracts. You gotta get rid of the projects that didn't work, and you gotta try to get younger and more athletic around LeBron,” Shaq told CBS Sports. “Because paper-wise, when everybody did the deal, ‘Ooh Westbrook', ooh, this that… But, you know, age is a factor. AD was hurt all year … gotta keep him healthy.

“Keep LeBron and AD and make moves for everybody else.”

Shaquille O'Neal makes a valid point. While there have been rumors that Anthony Davis could be traded, the fact is he was extremely valuable for LA when they made their title run. The 29-year-old big man has been injured a lot this season, but if they are able to keep him healthy, then that's a different story.

LeBron James, meanwhile, is still performing at a high level even at his age-37 season. Some are questioning him for putting up big numbers and seemingly stat-chasing, but that is also a sign that he can still perform at a high level whenever he wants. Imagine what he can do if the Lakers surround him with better complementary pieces.

The Russell Westbrook trade, as Shaq hinted, simply didn't work and the Lakers have to accept that. Now, whatever happens in their postseason dreams, the task is clear for Jeanie Buss, Rob Pelinka and the LA front office: overhaul the roster.